AMA: VMI Rat

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Blackotter

5-Year Member
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Mar 28, 2017
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I am currently a rat at VMI. If anyone has any questions about VMI you can ask me here and I'll do my best to get back to you ASAP.
 
My son is a current high school junior, and very interested in VMI. We attended an information night in Dallas last year, and learned that he could come to VMI for an overnight visit. We were told that he could interview at that time. My question is: should he wait until his senior year to do this? Would junior year be too early to interview?
Also, which airport do most people use?
 
Most people use Richmond or Dulles if they're coming from farther out. Roanoke is closest. Junior year is definitely not to early to do the overnight. The sessions later in the year tend to be mostly juniors. I would just email somebody in admissions your question about interviewing this early. Since you guys are far away, you probably want to interview before open house and that shouldn't be a problem.
 
Lots of juniors do the overnight, so I would pick one that best fits your schedule. Keep in mind they fill up quickly.

People use all the airports in the area: Roanoke, Dulles, National and Richmond
 
Laurantwins said:
My son is a current high school junior, and very interested in VMI. We attended an information night in Dallas last year, and learned that he could come to VMI for an overnight visit. We were told that he could interview at that time. My question is: should he wait until his senior year to do this? Would junior year be too early to interview?
Also, which airport do most people use?
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Look into Charlottesville, Virginia Airport. We have a 4th Year/Rat at VMI now and we have flown in and it is only an hour away from VMI.
 
I grew up in the area and attended VMI. I have been overseas about 7 of the 16 years I have been out of VMI and when I fly home my preferences are in order
1. Shenandoah Valley- small airport near Staunton but direct discounted flights from Dulles
2. Charlottesville- usually cheaper and more flights than Roanoke
3. Roanoke
4. Richmond- with a number of Brother Rats in the area easy to get rides from Richmond to Lexington
5. Dulles- Again a lot of NOVA kids at VMI and Dulles has tons of options as far as prices, airlines and times.
 
My son is a junior in HS at a military HS in SC. We are considering a SMC for college for him. How has your experience been? I am a bit worried about hazing/abuse and the like. The yelling, discipline, structure, PT are all ok, but I worry about the hidden aspects of starting at the bottom.
 
Buckeyefan said:
My son is a junior in HS at a military HS in SC. We are considering a SMC for college for him. How has your experience been? I am a bit worried about hazing/abuse and the like. The yelling, discipline, structure, PT are all ok, but I worry about the hidden aspects of starting at the bottom.
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My son is a 2nd at VMI ( junior) The Ratline is very structured. At VMI everything is earned as you move up in the classes. Rats (freshman) have basically zero privileges. When they Breakout and become 4th Class Cadets ( they are not considered a class or a cadet until they Breakout), 3rds have more privileges, 2nds more than thirds and 1sts the most.

I am not aware of any actual hazing, I cannot say 100% that it never happens as I am not there, but the Ratline ( and VMI in general) is very demanding. It is demanding physically, mentally and academically. You have to want to be there to make it.

VMI also has a single sanction honor code. One violation of the honor code and you are gone.
 
Blackotter said:
I am currently a rat at VMI. If anyone has any questions about VMI you can ask me here and I'll do my best to get back to you ASAP.
Click to expand...
My son applied to VMI this year. Crossing our fingers he gets in. He also applied for the AROTC scholarship. If he does not get the scholarship, does VMI offer a lot of financial aid?
 
There is financial aid, they seem to be pretty stingy with it for NARPs at least. If you’re an athlete there may be more opportunities depending on the sport.
 
My son received a 3 year AROTC scholarship, so we needed to cover the first year. We are out of state so it isn't cheap . He was offered need based $ based on our FASFA. Brought it more in line to in state tuition.

There is a scholarship available for a 3.5 or above GPA and top 10% in class. He did not apply because he was in top 13% of his class. They do need to maintain a 3.5 to keep it each year I believe.

Check the website as well, I believe that they listed scholarships or it may have come in the mail, but there were some offered by alumni too.
 
the Rat Line is very structured and there is a lot of oversight. There is a great deal of care by the staff at VMI, as well as the cadet cadre, to ensure that no one over steps the framework of the Rat Line. There is a great deal of pride in the process and no one wants to be the cause of it being dismantled by hazing. As long as the perspective cadet understands that discipline, structure, and PT are all part of the process, everything will be fine. There are opportunities for perspective cadets to do over night visits, some of the time slots are during the Rat Line, some are after. Definitely recommend doing an overnight in the first semester to see what goes on during the Rat Line
 
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